This week has not gone to plan at all. I have been sorting loads of errands/jobs etc out, which very annoyingly has resulted in no birding whatsoever! Not good at all. I WILL be out tomorrow however!
One of the neighbours decided to get a whole team of men in, to chainsaw their trees down - WHY do they do this in the spring!!!
Upgraded my 'Orange' pay as you go phone today to one that has 'Bluetooth' and this is now linked to the car along with the 'vodafone' iphone - I just love technology!
Went into town to pay my electric and gas bill in my bank to discover at least 50+ people in the queue – why do banks send their staff out to lunch at the same time as their customers come into the bank in their lunch hour – surely they could stagger their lunches!!!!! Lots of people were complaining. I was parked in a 30 minute space, so had to find another space and re-parked the car in a 60 minute space and walked back to join the massive queue – what a waste of time! I then drove to my garage via London Road to ask them to help me to link my new phone to the car – it took at least half an hour because of massive road works on London Road – not a happy day at all. My car insurance company tried to scam me for another £68 – reckoned I hadn't told them the correct information and after I wrote them a stinking email saying I HAD and that if I had to pay it I wanted a refund immediately and I would find another insurer – they emailed back saying they had listened to my phone conversations that I had had when I took out the insurance and that I was right and their sincere apologies etc etc!!!! PHEW!!!!!
Birds seen in Norfolk today (RBA):
Hoopoe remains at Waxham and another seen at Sheringham. Passage of Swallows and Sand Martins going through today. Ring Ouzels at Heacham, Blofield and Winterton, 3 Waxwings in Norwich, 2 little terns and 3 little gulls at Barton Broad.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Monday, 9 April 2012
Bird News in Norfolk today
From Rare Bird Alert
Hoopoe at Waxham Sands Holiday Park.
Serin with linnets at Waxham Sands Holiday Park, but flew south.
Great Grey Shrike remains at Northrepps.
Hoopoe at Waxham Sands Holiday Park.
Serin with linnets at Waxham Sands Holiday Park, but flew south.
Great Grey Shrike remains at Northrepps.
Holme Bird Observatory 50th Anniversary!
Founded 6th September 1962 by Peter Clarke and Graham Byford. Graham left after 4 months (long story!) and my father remained Warden until January 1994. Father worked 7 days a week throughout the year, only having Christmas day off! I was Assistant Warden during weekends and school holidays (that was a long time ago!) I could write loads more, but I will update at a later date.
Sophie Barker is Warden at present and the NOA has produced an anniversary DVD on sale this April. I have emailed Sophie as I can't find anything about it on the NOA website – I will link it when its added.
Itinerary of events here: http://www.noa.org.uk/
Sophie Barker is Warden at present and the NOA has produced an anniversary DVD on sale this April. I have emailed Sophie as I can't find anything about it on the NOA website – I will link it when its added.
Itinerary of events here: http://www.noa.org.uk/
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Blakeney Point - 100th Anniversary!!!
There will be special events to mark the 100th anniversary of Blakeney Point!!!
The following information extracted from the 'The Norfolk Guardian' newspaper:
"The reserve has been in the care of the National Trust for 100 years. Blakeney Point was the first nature reserve in Norfolk, acquired in 1912 following a public appeal led by Professor Francis Oliver from University College London. Prof. Oliver recognised the need to protect its unique habitat and wildlife and with the financial sup- port from Charles Rothschild, a banker and entomologist, and other benefactors, the unique stretch of coastline was handed to the National Trust in the same year for its ongoing protection......"
See the pdf version and go to page 18 of The Norfolk Coast Guardian which is published annually. http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/pages/pspage.php?PageID=637
The following information extracted from the 'The Norfolk Guardian' newspaper:
"The reserve has been in the care of the National Trust for 100 years. Blakeney Point was the first nature reserve in Norfolk, acquired in 1912 following a public appeal led by Professor Francis Oliver from University College London. Prof. Oliver recognised the need to protect its unique habitat and wildlife and with the financial sup- port from Charles Rothschild, a banker and entomologist, and other benefactors, the unique stretch of coastline was handed to the National Trust in the same year for its ongoing protection......"
See the pdf version and go to page 18 of The Norfolk Coast Guardian which is published annually. http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/pages/pspage.php?PageID=637
Migrants trickling in!
Several Ring Ouzels arriving in Norfolk today, which means there will probably be some at NWT Ringstead Downs - they just love this place! Also first sedge warbler at Titchwell RSPB and also at Cley. Great Grey Shrike remains at Northrepps.
I worked all day, so no birding today – apart from what I saw at work! The weather has been dire here – rainy and cold and not a glimmer of sunshine, not even for a minute. Whilst sitting in my car for my break between shifts I spotted what I thought was a chiffchaff – but it just looked different, and yes I know the 'browns' can vary, but it had a shorter tail, more dumpy and a paler throat/breast. I saw this bird for moments only, before it disappeared – typical! Also watched a great spotted woodpecker directly in front of me in the pouring rain.
8th April 2011 – the White-spotted Bluethroat returned to Welney – will it return again this year I wonder!!?
I worked all day, so no birding today – apart from what I saw at work! The weather has been dire here – rainy and cold and not a glimmer of sunshine, not even for a minute. Whilst sitting in my car for my break between shifts I spotted what I thought was a chiffchaff – but it just looked different, and yes I know the 'browns' can vary, but it had a shorter tail, more dumpy and a paler throat/breast. I saw this bird for moments only, before it disappeared – typical! Also watched a great spotted woodpecker directly in front of me in the pouring rain.
8th April 2011 – the White-spotted Bluethroat returned to Welney – will it return again this year I wonder!!?
Saturday, 7 April 2012
12 Hours Birding!
Walsey Hills NOA
Torrential rain on route to Cley this morning. Arrived at Walsey Hills just before 8am. Nothing to get the heart racing, but a good mix: 1 Bullfinch sitting prettily in the blackthorn blossom, Cettis's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs singing, 2 Marsh Harriers, 8 Shelduck, 15 Curlew, 2 Greylag Geese, several robins, greenfinches, goldfinches, chaffinches, blue and great tits, 2 long tailed tits and a few hedge sparrows.
Coastguards – Only stopped here briefly – not much seen.
Cley NWT Visitor Centre – 3 Spoonbills on Pat's Pool (10.30am) and a scrumptious, hot cheese scone with butter – long overdue!
Gramborough Hill – Meadow Pipits and a few hedge sparrows.
Little Eye – 2 Wheatears, 6 linnets, 2 ringed plovers and 20 turnstones.
Cley NWT Visitor Centre – Lunch here, which was a massive mistake – packed full of people like sardines!
Kelling Water Meadows
1 song thrush, 3 pied wagtails, goldinches, robin, 1 egyptian goose, 2 shelduck, black-headed and common gulls, teal, tons of woodpigeons, 2 snipe, 1 little egret, skylark singing, lapwing, oystercatchers, magpie and 1 hare lolloping across the daisies amongst the cows and skipping calves. Eddie kindly phoned me to say there was a Red Kite over Arnold's Marsh going west at 2.25pm – I could just about make it out from the shingle bank. My first Sand Martins of the year, two of them over the pool at 2.50pm. I spent a long time here trying to conjure up a yellow wagtail, but failed.
Kelling Tearooms and bookshop – very scrummy coffee cake £1.50 to take away – bargain!
Walsey Hills NOA – 2 Spoonbills not far from the road, just before the carpark in the now glorious sunshine! Walked around Walsey again. Found a bee-fly on the alexander at the end of the bottom path and an unidentifiable caterpillar (took pic). Blackcap singing along with a chiffchaff and a pair of bullfinches. I sat on the seat at the top of the steps and attempted to snooze in the sunshine.
Daukes Hide - NWT
A beautiful, sunny evening. 3 Spoonbills – wonderful views of these flying across Pat's Pool. Good selection of birds including: Pintail, avocets, wigeon, pochard, gadwall, mallard, teal, shoveler, shelduck, black headed gulls, herring gulls, Med gull (heard only), several marsh harriers, little egrets, redshanks, black-tailed godwits, cetti's warbler, pied wagtails etc. Left here at 8pm!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
Torrential rain on route to Cley this morning. Arrived at Walsey Hills just before 8am. Nothing to get the heart racing, but a good mix: 1 Bullfinch sitting prettily in the blackthorn blossom, Cettis's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs singing, 2 Marsh Harriers, 8 Shelduck, 15 Curlew, 2 Greylag Geese, several robins, greenfinches, goldfinches, chaffinches, blue and great tits, 2 long tailed tits and a few hedge sparrows.
Coastguards – Only stopped here briefly – not much seen.
Cley NWT Visitor Centre – 3 Spoonbills on Pat's Pool (10.30am) and a scrumptious, hot cheese scone with butter – long overdue!
Gramborough Hill – Meadow Pipits and a few hedge sparrows.
Little Eye – 2 Wheatears, 6 linnets, 2 ringed plovers and 20 turnstones.
Cley NWT Visitor Centre – Lunch here, which was a massive mistake – packed full of people like sardines!
Kelling Water Meadows
1 song thrush, 3 pied wagtails, goldinches, robin, 1 egyptian goose, 2 shelduck, black-headed and common gulls, teal, tons of woodpigeons, 2 snipe, 1 little egret, skylark singing, lapwing, oystercatchers, magpie and 1 hare lolloping across the daisies amongst the cows and skipping calves. Eddie kindly phoned me to say there was a Red Kite over Arnold's Marsh going west at 2.25pm – I could just about make it out from the shingle bank. My first Sand Martins of the year, two of them over the pool at 2.50pm. I spent a long time here trying to conjure up a yellow wagtail, but failed.
Kelling Tearooms and bookshop – very scrummy coffee cake £1.50 to take away – bargain!
Walsey Hills NOA – 2 Spoonbills not far from the road, just before the carpark in the now glorious sunshine! Walked around Walsey again. Found a bee-fly on the alexander at the end of the bottom path and an unidentifiable caterpillar (took pic). Blackcap singing along with a chiffchaff and a pair of bullfinches. I sat on the seat at the top of the steps and attempted to snooze in the sunshine.
Daukes Hide - NWT
A beautiful, sunny evening. 3 Spoonbills – wonderful views of these flying across Pat's Pool. Good selection of birds including: Pintail, avocets, wigeon, pochard, gadwall, mallard, teal, shoveler, shelduck, black headed gulls, herring gulls, Med gull (heard only), several marsh harriers, little egrets, redshanks, black-tailed godwits, cetti's warbler, pied wagtails etc. Left here at 8pm!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Holiday!!!
At last!!!!!! Time off work – Good Friday and Saturday off, working on Sunday and then Bank Holiday Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off – fabulous!!!
I am so sad – only had the car under two weeks and tonight I washed it!!! I am sure I won't keep that up! I realised how short I am, when I couldn't reach the centre of the car roof to wash it – I didn't have a problem with the Hyundai Coupe as it was such a low car!!! I will have to find a box or step to stand on next time! I have continued to cycle to work in the week, as it saves money and also stress trying to get the car in and out of the drive.
Its been such a diverse week with the weather – from uncannily hot weather and then back to cold, wintery conditions – yesterday it poured with rain all day and today it was sunny all day. What will tomorrow bring? Well, studying the forecast it looks like sunshine most of the morning and then developing into cloudy/rainy conditions from then on. The whole weekend doesn't exactly look too cracky, but hey ho!
I succumbed to buying hotcross buns from Tescos this evening - oh dear!
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
and Happy Birding!
Birds seen in Norfolk today – Rare Bird Alert:
Great Grey Shrike, Southrepps found by Mark Golley whilst on the train!
Red Kite, Fakenham
Four Garganey, Hockwold Washes
Ring Ouzel, Gore Point, Holme
Black Redstart, Gorleston
Sacred Ibis, Welney
Water Pipit, Titchwell RSPB
Other birds of note this week were an Osprey flying west along the beach at Holme on the 3rd April, a Glaucous Gull at Sheringham on the 2nd April and a Richard's Pipit at Kelling on the 1st April.
I am so sad – only had the car under two weeks and tonight I washed it!!! I am sure I won't keep that up! I realised how short I am, when I couldn't reach the centre of the car roof to wash it – I didn't have a problem with the Hyundai Coupe as it was such a low car!!! I will have to find a box or step to stand on next time! I have continued to cycle to work in the week, as it saves money and also stress trying to get the car in and out of the drive.
Its been such a diverse week with the weather – from uncannily hot weather and then back to cold, wintery conditions – yesterday it poured with rain all day and today it was sunny all day. What will tomorrow bring? Well, studying the forecast it looks like sunshine most of the morning and then developing into cloudy/rainy conditions from then on. The whole weekend doesn't exactly look too cracky, but hey ho!
I succumbed to buying hotcross buns from Tescos this evening - oh dear!
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
and Happy Birding!Birds seen in Norfolk today – Rare Bird Alert:
Great Grey Shrike, Southrepps found by Mark Golley whilst on the train!
Red Kite, Fakenham
Four Garganey, Hockwold Washes
Ring Ouzel, Gore Point, Holme
Black Redstart, Gorleston
Sacred Ibis, Welney
Water Pipit, Titchwell RSPB
Other birds of note this week were an Osprey flying west along the beach at Holme on the 3rd April, a Glaucous Gull at Sheringham on the 2nd April and a Richard's Pipit at Kelling on the 1st April.
Monday, 2 April 2012
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Orange Underwing
In my lunchbreak at work today I watched an Orange Underwing feeding in the tops of the birch trees.
Richard's Pipit at Kelling!
Richard's Pipit at Kelling today for fourth day apparently. Pictures here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=59348&page=628
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=59348&page=628
MEGA!!!!!!!
Stultus mensis singing loudly at an undisclosed location in King"s Lynn this morning. One in Sheringham also I note on BF"s Norfolk thread!!!! Must be an influx!!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Back to 'normal' March Temperatures!
Couldn't go out early as had to return to the garage this morning and then had errands to do for my parents. It was freezing today, compared to the heatwave we all enjoyed in the week! Strong northerly winds combined with sun and and a few spots of rain!
Titchwell RSPB
I walked to the end of the main path, but turned back just before the seawatching platform as people were walking away with sand covered optics!!! Serious sand storm funnelling straight through the gap between the dunes. Highlights of the day were 1 House Martin over the Titchwell RSPB carpark this afternoon at 3.40pm - also a blackcap singing. A Cettis's Warbler was singing along the main path and several Chiffchaffs were heard. Dipped on 3 Red Kites that flew over west. Photographed a Black-tailed Godwit close to the main path.
Visited the new "One Stop Nature" shop at Burnham Deepdale - see website here: http://www.onestopnature.co.uk/
I bought fish 'n' chips at Wells and ate them in the carpark at Coastguards, Cley - lovely! Sea-watched from 5.45pm to 6.45pm and counted 36 Sandwich Terns going west and 1 Red-necked Grebe sitting close in on the sea. It was bitterly cold standing in the shelter with the north wind belting straight in there!
Sat in the carpark at Walsey Hills watching 3 Marsh Harriers as the sun set.
No diesel in King's Lynn I discovered this evening!!!
I started a thread on birdforum a while back about the late Richard Richardson - someone who has just joined BF, posted a wonderful story about him here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2402785&postcount=28
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
Titchwell RSPB
I walked to the end of the main path, but turned back just before the seawatching platform as people were walking away with sand covered optics!!! Serious sand storm funnelling straight through the gap between the dunes. Highlights of the day were 1 House Martin over the Titchwell RSPB carpark this afternoon at 3.40pm - also a blackcap singing. A Cettis's Warbler was singing along the main path and several Chiffchaffs were heard. Dipped on 3 Red Kites that flew over west. Photographed a Black-tailed Godwit close to the main path.
Visited the new "One Stop Nature" shop at Burnham Deepdale - see website here: http://www.onestopnature.co.uk/
I bought fish 'n' chips at Wells and ate them in the carpark at Coastguards, Cley - lovely! Sea-watched from 5.45pm to 6.45pm and counted 36 Sandwich Terns going west and 1 Red-necked Grebe sitting close in on the sea. It was bitterly cold standing in the shelter with the north wind belting straight in there!
Sat in the carpark at Walsey Hills watching 3 Marsh Harriers as the sun set.
No diesel in King's Lynn I discovered this evening!!!
I started a thread on birdforum a while back about the late Richard Richardson - someone who has just joined BF, posted a wonderful story about him here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2402785&postcount=28
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Rhodiola Rosea - magical potion!!!
I walked into Holland and Barrett a couple of weeks ago to ask about supplements to help with low mood, stress etc and was recommended Rhodiola Rosea, which had had lots of good reviews I was told.
Rhodiola Rosea is the most amazing herbal medicine I have ever taken!!! It lifted my mood almost immediately and I can't believe the difference this has made in such a short space of time. I also seem to have more energy and I feel more focussed.
Rhodiola Rosea, also known as arctic root is found in the polar arctic regions of Eastern Siberia.
"..........a rigorous Swedish case study suggested rhodiola’s ability to quicken memory, improve attention span, sharpen mental performance, alleviate depression, soothe mental and physical fatigue and improve human focus in difficult circumstances."
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=1244
The only bad thing about this product is that its contained in a gelatine shell, which as a vegetarian I don't wish to take, so I break the capsule and pour the powder into part of a mashed up banana, which you need to eat very quickly - disgusting taste!!! The recommended dosage is 1-2 capsules per day and I have only been taking one a day - unbelievable how different I feel!
See information here:
http://smart-drugs.net/Rhodiola-rosea.htm
http://rhodiolarosea.org/
Rhodiola Rosea is the most amazing herbal medicine I have ever taken!!! It lifted my mood almost immediately and I can't believe the difference this has made in such a short space of time. I also seem to have more energy and I feel more focussed.
Rhodiola Rosea, also known as arctic root is found in the polar arctic regions of Eastern Siberia.
"..........a rigorous Swedish case study suggested rhodiola’s ability to quicken memory, improve attention span, sharpen mental performance, alleviate depression, soothe mental and physical fatigue and improve human focus in difficult circumstances."
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=1244
The only bad thing about this product is that its contained in a gelatine shell, which as a vegetarian I don't wish to take, so I break the capsule and pour the powder into part of a mashed up banana, which you need to eat very quickly - disgusting taste!!! The recommended dosage is 1-2 capsules per day and I have only been taking one a day - unbelievable how different I feel!
See information here:
http://smart-drugs.net/Rhodiola-rosea.htm
http://rhodiolarosea.org/
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